Jamb and door hinge support



Sept. 27, 1966 D, w. STACKHOUSE 3,274,735

JAMB AND DOOR HINGE SUPPORT Filed Dec. 10, 1964 INVENTOR.

54, l IE-- .UAVID WSTAEKHUUEE. BY @449 QM.

ATTYS.

United States Patent 3,274,735 JAMB AND DOOR HINGE SUPPORT David W. Staclrhouse, Bronson, Mich., assignor to The L. A. Darling Company, Bronson, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 10, 1964, Ser. No. 417,412 4 Claims. (Cl. 49-504) The present invention relates to a doorjamb construction; and more particularly to a doorjarnb construction which facilitates the mounting of hinged doors thereto and which includes structure which covers the hinge plate afiixed to the doorjamb.

In the usual method of hinging a door to a doorjamb, one hinge plate of each hinge is secured to the door, following which the door is placed in the desired position relative to the doorjamb with the other hinge plate of each hinge overlying the doorjamb. Suitable markings are made on the jamb at the center of the mounting holes in the hinge plate overlying the jamb, the hinge plates which overlie the doorjamb are removed from the door and the doorjamb is suitably routed to receive the hinge plates. The hinge plates are then loosely secured to the doorjamb by means of screws, the hinge plates on the door are assembled to the hinge plates on the doorjamb, and the screws are thereafter securely tightend to the doorjamb. Considerable time is required to locate the hinge plates accurately in the above described manner, and in many instances after the door is hung, the hinge plates of each hinge do not align accurately so that binding occurs to some degree. In the usual type of construction previously described, the hinge plates mounted to the doorjamb are exposed to view when the door is open, so that a smooth neat appearance is lacking.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved doorjamb and hinge mounting structure which allows a hinge plate of each hinge to be mounted to a hinge support plate without regard to its final location on the doorjamb, following which the hinge support plates are then clamped into position while the door is supported in its desired position.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved doorjamb and hinge mounting structure wherein the hinge plates secured to the doorjamb are covered by structure easily snapped in place to provide a neat flush appearance.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved generally channelshaped doorjamb member for mounting a hinged door in the manner above described and onto which can be snapped either a cover member which provides a door abutment shoulder, or another decorative flush type facing member.

The invention resides in certain constructions and combinations and arrangements of parts; and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following description of the preferred embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of a doorjamb structure embodying principles of the present invention and onto which a door is hinged;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view of a hinge support plate shown in FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the doorjam b shown in FIGURE 2 but having a cover member positioned thereon of a type which is intended for use in a passageway which is not provided with a hinged door.

Patented Sept. 27, 1966 ice The jamb and door hinge support of the present invention (see FIG. 1) generally comprises a channel-shaped upright jamb member 10 having guide ways 12 therein in which a plurality of vertically slidable hinge support plates 14 are mounted. To hang a door 18 on the support, each of a plurality of hinge plates 16 is secured to one of the hinge support plates 14, the hinge support plates 14 are secured to the door 18, following which the hinge support plates 14 are locked in place on the jamb member 10 While the door is supported in its vertically adjusted position.

The channel-shaped upright jamb member 10 (see FIG. 2) has a web portion 20 and a pair of laterally extending flanges 22, respective ones of which are located at the opposite ends of the web portion 20. The doorjamb assembly of the present invention can be used with any type of wall construction wherein the web 20 can be fastened to an upright member. The embodiment shown in the drawing is specifically intended for use with the type of wall construction shown and described in the David W. Stackhouse application Serial No. 394,086, filed September 2, 1964. In order that the jamb member 10 will be self-centering with respect to an upright stud member 24 of the wall construction shown in the above identified application, the web 20 has three projections 26 on the back face of the web 20 for reception in corresponding recesses in the side face of the stud member 24. The face of the web 20 opposite the projections 26 has corresponding recesses 28 therein which among other things, provide for the self-centering of retaining sheet metal screws 30 which secure the jamb member 10 to the upright stud member 24.

The laterally extending flanges 22 have inner side surfaces 32 which face each other, and outer side surfaces 34 which are generally parallel with the outer surfaces of the wall in which the doorjam-b is to be mounted. Each of the inner side surfaces 32 has a shoulder 36 thereon which faces the web 20 and inwardly of which is a guide way or recess 12. The recesses 12 are adapted to receive the opposite ends of the hinge support plates 14 shown isometrically in FIGURE 3 and in section in FIGURE 2. The hinge support plates 14 have an intermediate section 38 which is positioned inwardly of an end portion received in the recess 12, and the outer surface of which is flush with the laterally outer ends 40 of the flanges 22 when the ends of the plate abut the shoulders 36. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the intermediate section 38 of the hinge support plate 14 terminates short of the center of the hinge plate 16, and jamb screws 42 extend through threaded openings 44 into engagement with one of the recesses 28. Upon tightening of the jamb screws 42 into firm engagement with the web 20, the hinge support plate 14 is biased laterally outwardly into firm frictional engagement with the shoulders 36 to such a degree as to (adequately support the weight of the door. The intermediate section 38 is provided with tapped openings 46 which receive machine screws 48 that extend through similarly positioned openings of one hinge plate 16 of a hinge structure 50 which supports the door 18. Any suitable number of hinges 50 can be used, and in the embodiment shown in the drawing three such hinges 50 are used to support the door 18 relative to the channel member 10.

It will be seen that the hinge plate 16 extends over the lateral outer end 40 of one of the flanges 22, and that the edge of the door when closed is spaced from the channel structure 10 by a distance which slightly exceeds the thickness of the hinge plate 16. In order that the structure will be finished to be esthetically acceptable, a generally U-sha'ped facia strip 52 is provided laterally outwardly of the U-shaped channel member 10. Legs 54 of the U-shaped facia strip 52 extend laterally inwardly by a distance slightly exceeding the thickness of the hinge plate 16 to abut in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 2, the laterally positioned outer ends of the flanges 22. The legs 54, therefore, close off the space or crack whlch would otherwise exist between a web 58 of the channelshaped fa-oila strip 52 and the ends of the flanges 22 of the channel member and in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 2, outer faces 56 are made flush with the outer surfaces of the flanges 22 to provide a neat flush appearance.

While any suitable means can be used to secure the facia strip 52 to the channel member 10, the preferred embodiment utilizes detent means by which the facia strip 52 can be snapped into position. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 2, each of the inner surfaces 32 of the flanges 22 are provided with a small second recess 60 positioned outwardly of the recess 12 for the reception of a projection 62 on detent legs 64 which are carried by the facia strip 52.. The detent legs 64 preferably extend for the full length of the facia strip 52, and it has been found that such an arrangement not only seals off the space between the facia strip 52 and the channel member 10 to prevent accumulation of dirt, but also so firmly connects the facia strip 52 to the channel member 10 as to preclude the necessity of any further connection between the two members. The structure so far described provides a neat appearance and can be used to finish doorways whether or not a hinged door is to be provided immediately. In those instances where a hinged door is to be provided, the facia strip 52 will preferably also include a door stop 66 formed by a projection on the exposed surface of the vfacia strip 52. The door stop 66, of course, provides an abutment for the closed position of the door, and seals the crack which exists between the side edges of the door and the facia strip 52.

In those instances where a hinged door is not to be immediately provided, a facia strip identical with the facia strip 52, previously described, can be used except that it will not include the door stop 66. A neat flush appearance is thereby provided in entranceways which do not have doors. If at some future time a hinged door is to be provided in the entranceway, the flush type facia strip 52 can be snapped out of position, a door can be hinged to the jamb member 10, and another facia strip 52 which includes the door stop 66 can be snapped into position. It will be apparent that a section of one leg 54 of the facia strip will be notched to receive the hinge plates 16 at each hinge before the new facia strip 52 is installed.

Portions of a second embodiment of the invention are shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawing. Those portions of FIGURE 4 which are similar to corresponding portions previously described are designated by a like reference numeral characterized further in that a prime mark is afiixed thereto. The embodiment shown in FIGURE 4 differs principally from that previously described in that the legs 54' of the facia strip 52 are made to overlie the outer surfaces 34' of the flanges 22'. Such a construction may be required in certain instances for architectura'l reasons. Where the flange 54' is desired to overlie the outer face 34 of the flanges 22 the facia strip 52 can be held in position by providing projections 68 on the inside face of the legs 54, and by providing outer recesses 70 in the faces 34' adapted to receive the projections 68 of the legs 54'. This has the advantage of providing a seal at the extremities of the faci'a strip 52 and also provides an adequate connection between the facia strip 52' and the channel member 10 for most installations.

Alternatively, when it is desired for some reason to provide additional retention between the two members, the facia strip 52 may also be provided with the detent legs 64, in which instance the flanges 22 will also be provided with the recesses 62 into which the projections 62 may be snapped to provide additional retention.

In both embodiments so far described, the jamb members 10 and 10' include flanges 72 which extend in the opposite directions from the flanges 22 and 22' to engage the outer surfaces of splines 74 that are used in the construction described in the above identified Stackhouse application.

As previously indicated, one of the advantages of the construction of the present invention is that it makes the hanging of hinged doors onto the doorjamb extremely easy. Prior to the mounting of the jamb members 10, the desired number of hinge support plates 14 are slid lengthwise of the channel members so that their side edges are received in the recesses 12. One hinge plate of each hinge 50 is mounted to the door 18 and the other hinge plate 16 of each hinge 50 is fastened to one of the hinge support plates 14 by means of the machine screws 48. This can be accomplished either by blocking the door 18 with the hinges 50 mounted thereon in the desired posit-ion relative to the doorjamb 10, following which the jamb screws 42 are tightened. Alternatively, the hinge pins 76 can be removed, the hinge plates 16 fastened to the hinge support plate 14 when separate from the door, following which the hinge plates 16 are aligned with those of the door and the hinge pins installed. Thereafter the door 18 is adjusted vertically to its proper position while in its open position, and the jamb screws 42 are tightened against the webs 20 to lock the hinge support plate 14 in the exact vertical position required to preclude binding of the hinge structures 50. After the jamb screws 42 are tightened, the facia strips 52 are notched at the proper locations to clear the hinge plates 16, and are thereafter snapped into position to finish the doorway.

While the invention has been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiment shown and described, and it is desired hereby to cover all novel adaptations, modifications and arrangements thereof which come within the practice of those skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A doorjamb assembly comprising: an upright generally U-shaped channel member having a web and a pair of laterally extending flanges respective ones of which are located at opposite ends of said web, said flanges having inner sides which face each other and outer sides which face away from each other, each of said inner sides forming a first recess adjacent said Web with a shoulder facing said web, a hinge support plate opposite ends of which are seated in said first recesses, said hinge support plate having a section intermediate said ends which is flush with the lateral outer ends of said flanges when said ends are seated against said shoulders, a hinge having two hinge plates, means fastening one of said hinge plates to said intermediate section of said hinge support plate, at least one jamb screw for forcing said hinge support plate laterally outwardly from said web against said shoulders of said flanges, a generally U- shaped facia strip overlying said channel member laterally outwardly of said hinge plate, and means securing said facia strip to said channel member.

2. A doorjamb assembly comprising: an upright generally U-shaped channel member having a web and a pair of laterally extending flanges respective ones of which are located at opposite ends of said web, said flanges having inner sides which face each other and outer sides which face away fromeach other, each of said inner sides forming a first recess ad acent said web with a shoulder facing said web, a hinge support plate opposite ends of which are seated in said first recesses, said hinge support plate having a section intermediate said ends which is flush with the lateral outer ends of said flanges when said ends are seated against said shoulders, a hinge havlng two hinge plates, means fastening one of said hinge plates to said intermediate section of said hinge support plate, at least one jamb screw for forcing said hinge support plate laterally outwardly from said web against said shoulders of said flanges, a generally U-shaped facia.

strip overlying said channel member laterally outwardly of said hinge plate, one of said inner and outer sur faces of each of said flanges having a second recess therein, and said facia strip having detents which snap into said second recesses to secure said facia strip outwardly of said hinge plate.

3. A doorjamb assembly comprising: an upright generally U-shaped channel member having a web and a pair of laterally extending flanges respective ones of which are located at opposite ends of said web, said flanges having inner sides which face each other and outer sides which face away from each other, each of said inner sides forming a first recess adjacent said web with a shoulder facing said web, a hinge support plate opposite ends of which are seated in said first recesses, said hinge support plate having a section intermediate said ends which is flush with the lateral outer ends of said flanges when said ends are seated against said shoulders, a hinge having two hinge plates, means fastening one of said hinge plates to said intermediate section of said hinge support plate, at least one jamb screw for forcing said hinge support plate laterally outwardly from said web against said shoulders of said flanges, a generally U- shaped facia strip overlying said channel member laterally outwardly of said hinge plate, said inner surfaces of each of said flanges having a second recess therein outwardly of said first recess, said facia strip having laterally extending legs which abut the ends of said flanges with the outer surfaces of said legs being flush with said outer surfaces of said flanges, and said facia strip having detents which snap into said second recesses to secure said facia strip in position laterally outwardly of said hinge plate.

4. A doorjamb assembly comprising: an upright generally U-shaped channel member having a web and a 6 2 pair of laterally extending flanges respective ones of l which are located at opposite ends of said web, said flanges having inner sides which face each other and outer sides which face away from each other, each of said inner sides forming a first recess adjacent said web with a shoulder facing said web, a hinge support plate opposite ends of which are seated in said first recesses, said hinge support plate having a section intermediate said ends which is flush with the lateral outer ends of said flanges when said ends are seated against said shoulders, a hinge having two hinge plates, means fastening one of said hinge plates to said intermediate section of said hinge support plate, at least one jamb screw for forcing said hinge support plate laterally outwardly from said web against said shoulders of said flanges, a generally U- shaped facia strip overlying said channel member laterally outwardly of said hinge plate, said outer surfaces of each of said flanges having an outer recess therein, said facia strip having laterally extending legs which overlie said flanges and engage said outer recesses to retain said facia strip in position overlying said hinge plate, and said facia strip having detents which snap into said outer recesses to secure said facia strip in position laterally outwardly of said hinge plate.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,605,869 8/1952 Backman 189-46 X 2,766,858 10/ 1956 Johnson et al. 52217 2,818,145 12/1957 Bragman et al 18946 2,910,154 10/ 1959 Hammitt et al 18946 2,985,263 5/1961 Maciunas 52-731 X HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. K. DOWNEY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DOORJAMB ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: AN UPRIGHT GENERALLY U-SHAPED CHANNEL MEMBER HAVING A WEB AND A PAIR OF LATERALLY EXTENDING FLANGES RESPECTIVE ONES OF WHICH ARE LOCATED AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID WEB, SAID FLANGES HAVING INNER SIDES WHICH FACE EACH OTHER, AND OUTER SIDES WHICH FACE AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, EACH OF SAID INNER SIDES FORMING A FIRST RECESS ADJACENT SAID WEB WITH A SHOULDER FACING SAID WEB, A HINGE SUPPORT PLATE OPPOSITE ENDS OF WHICH ARE SEATED IN SAID FIRST RECESSES, SAID HINGE SUPPORT PLATE HAVING A SECTION INTERMEDIATE SAID ENDS WHICH IS FLUSH WITH THE LATERAL OUTER ENDS OF SAID FLANGES WHEN SAID ENDS ARE SEATED AGAINST SAID SHOULDERS, A HINGE HAVING TWO HINGE PLATES, MEANS FASTENING ONE OF SAID HINGE PLATES TO SAID INTERMEDIATE SECTION OF SAID HINGE SUPPORT PLATE, AT LEAST ONE JAMB SCREW FOR FORCING SAID HINGE SUPPORT PLATE LATERALLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID WEB AGAINST SAID SHOULDERS OF SAID FLANGES, A GENERALLY USHAPED FACIA STRIP OVERLYING SAID CHANNEL MEMBER LATERALLY OUTWARDLY OF SAID HINGE PLATE, AND MEANS SECURING SAID FACIA STRIP TO SAID CHANNEL MEMBER. 